New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 453 The Proposal

It had been a long day for everyone. Matthew decided enough was enough and waved goodbye to Claire and Adrian, heading home for some much-needed rest. Claire, however, remained at Cryptonic, not working but stewing over everything that had unfolded. Her mind buzzed like an angry hive of bees. Adrian noticed her sitting on the couch, arms crossed, eyes darting back and forth as if trying to crack an invisible code. He sighed and plopped down beside her, leaning back casually.

"Claire, you've got to let it go. Rest," Adrian said softly, nudging her arm with his elbow.

Claire shook her head, looking at him like he'd just suggested she run a marathon in heels. "I can't, Adrian. If I let my guard down even for a second, Eligos will twist this whole situation into something worse. He always finds a way."

Adrian frowned, watching her fingers twist a strand of hair absentmindedly. He reached over, gently taking her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

"Claire," he said, voice low and serious, "I need to talk to you about something. I was going to say this before you stormed off from the party."

Claire blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone. "What is it?"

Adrian pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. Amazingly, it was still intact despite all the chaos they'd gone through earlier. Claire's heart skipped a beat as he flipped it open, revealing a stunning diamond ring that sparkled even in the dim office lighting.

"I want you to be mine," Adrian said simply, his eyes locked onto hers.

Claire froze, her breath hitching. For a moment, all she could do was stare at the ring, her wide eyes reflecting the glimmer of the diamond.

"Adrian," she whispered, pulling her hand away and standing up so fast she almost tripped on the coffee table.

Adrian followed suit, frowning slightly as he stepped closer. "Claire, I'm serious. I love you. I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

She shook her head, taking a step back. "You don't understand. If we do this if I say yes you could get hurt. Eligos isn't someone you can just ignore. He'll come after you, Adrian."

"I'm already in this, Claire," Adrian said firmly. "I've been hurt before, and I'm still here, aren't I? We're already together. What's the difference if we take this step?"

"The difference is...it's serious. It's permanent," Claire said, her voice cracking slightly. "What if I can't protect you? What if you end up regretting this?"

before, Claire. Remember the safe house? You promised me you'd

respond but closed it again. She was tongue-tied. Every logical part of her brain told her to push Adrian away for his own good, but her heart screamed for her to

softened his tone, stepping closer. "Listen, you don't have to give me

her finger. It fit perfectly, like it

for you," Adrian said, lifting her hand to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "No matter how long

one last lingering smile, he turned and walked out of the office,

beat echoing in her ears. She glanced down at the ring

feeling heavier than it should. She was shocked, yes, but there was also a warmth blooming in her chest-a fluttering she couldn't

to her. And she didn't know

Claire couldn't shake the moment from her mind. She paced back and forth in her

to grow

her

ricocheting off the walls as she tried to make sense of

he's getting into?" she

ran her fingers through her hair

eyes darted to

unassuming, yet it carried the weight of a thousand possibilities. With hesitant fingers, she opened it once again, the diamond ring inside catching the dim light

the box shut with a frustrated click. "Why did he have to make it so...so perfect?" she muttered, the sparkle of the ring burned into her memory like a mocking reminder of her indecision. The sound of a knock on

she called, her voice steady but tinged

He glanced around the room before stepping inside, looking a bit

him, momentarily caught off guard by the intrusion. "Your laptop?" she

Matthew said, scanning the room. His gaze landed on the device sitting on the corner of her

instead of leaving, Matthew lingered, studying her with a curious expression. "You okay? You look

of his concern. Her shoulders slumped

froze mid-step, his eyebrows shooting up so fast they nearly disappeared into his hairline. "Wait,

for the velvet box. She opened it and held it out for him to